Catherine Morland, aged seventeen, is addicted to reading Gothic novels. She joins her wealthier neighbours on a trip to Bath to partake in the winter season of balls, and finds herself pursued by the rather rough-mannered, slovenly John Thorpe, and by her real love interest, Henry Tilney. Henry's father invites Catherine to visit their estate, Northanger Abbey, which she expects to be ancient and full of Gothic horrors and fantastical mystery.